Pierced Hearts (Southern Charmers 1)

“You’re backtracking,” he growls.

I hold my breath, but it’s useless. A small peep escapes right before my outburst of giggles. Pierce rolls on top of me, bracing his elbows by my neck to hold some of his weight. My hands still frame his face, and I pull him down for a quick kiss.

“Tonight, when everyone is gone, and once Maya and Cole are asleep, I’m going to show you what teasing feels like.”

“You make it too fun.”

“How do you do it? How can you take me from the darkest thoughts and turn it into something beautiful?”

“We do it for each other. You’re no longer alone in this life, and you’re not responsible for always being the hero.”

“May eighteenth, Darby. You’ll be mine forever, and we’re going to start the life we were meant to have.”

“May eighteenth,” I agree.

His lips cross mine as a little voice calls through the door, “Dad? I heard laughing. Are you up?” Cole knocks.

“Shit,” Piece utters. “Yeah, buddy. Give me a second.” He rolls off, grabbing his pajama pants from the chair in the corner. “I can’t believe I’m being cockblocked by my nine-year-old.”

I sit up and straighten my pajamas, retying my hair on top of my head. “You may want to think about that as you start your mission to add four more to the mix,” I taunt.

He flashes me an evil look. “I’m upping it to five.”

My jaw drops as he unlocks the door, Cole and Maya stumbling in sleepily. They drop at the end of the bed, fanning out. “We’re here for our punishment,” Cole draws out dramatically. “Sock it to us. No electronics, clean the house, take away our lives… We’re ready for it.”

Pierce’s eyes fly to mine, and I burst into laughter again. “I’m sorry. I can’t help it. He’s too damn cute.”

His little face lights at the compliment. Maya giggles with me.

“We’re not talking about punishment today, but I’d suggest you both be on your best behavior,” Pierce grumbles.

They nod.

“Is anyone else up?” I ask Maya.

“Uncle Miller and Evin are on the sofas snoring, but I think Stephanie is in the shower.”

“I have an idea if your dad agrees and can make it happen.”

He comes to sit next to me. “I usually make things happen.”

“Since everyone is off work and out of school today, and while Stephanie is here, can we take a quick look at the progress of the Brasher Gardens?”

It’s a good thing I’m sitting because the expression that takes over his face would knock me off my feet. He brings my hand to his mouth and kisses my ring. The truth is, I do want to see the progress and get a visual of the layout, but this is for Maya and Cole. They need to be included as much as possible. They have a lot to work through when I leave, but today needs to be filled with love and support.

“That’s not a problem. I need to make a few calls before we leave.” He’s referring to touching base with John and whether I need to go talk to him. “You two go get showered and ready.”

They scramble away, Pierce’s gaze staying on them until they’re around the corner. He hefts me out of the bed, pressing me close. He doesn’t speak, but his body and the racing of his heart say it all.

Chapter 36

Pierce

The engines of the jet cut off as the door opens, and a man in uniform appears with Runner on a leash. The dog bounds down the stairs, and when he spots me, the man’s arm jerks with the pull of the dog’s excitement.

I clap loudly, flicking a wave, and the man releases the leash so the dog can race to me. Like the times I’ve watched him with Darby, Runner leaps with the force to rock me back on my heels. His energy is ratcheted up, even for him, and I wonder if he knows he’s finally home.

Man after man files off the jet, ten in total. Jealousy stirs in my gut, knowing Darby has been on a cross-country flight with all these men. She can live in denial all she wants, but I call bullshit. I’ve witnessed the attention she gets. Every male in her presence is immediately taken with her. Married, gay, young, old—it doesn’t matter—she’s a magnet and totally oblivious. It’s one of the millions of reasons I wanted that ring on her finger. Even when the band is added, I’ll still be a jealous fucker.

To everyone’s surprise and elation, Brasher on Atlantic was completed on schedule. But due to complications out of my control, Darby had to stay in Aspen for a few extra weeks. Each of those days stung like hell as I waited for her to finish her projects. My mood was shit, and I threatened more than once to fly out and drag her back myself. As a consolation, she agreed to transport her vehicle and most of her things and fly on the jet for the next trip. Five days on the road, driving her back, wasn’t a problem with me, but this was simpler.